“Welcome to Valesin Library!” Announced Mr. Dun, who had noticed that a large crowd of unknown people had just arrived. He knew everyone in the town, as he was very old and the town was very small. The strangers also seemed to be a little more colourful than the townsfolk, both in their clothes and skin. Of course, Mr. Dun had seen both blue and purple skin on occasion, but green and red skin were entirely new to him. This did not impact his welcoming attitude in the slightest.

The people stood in the doorway of the library, wide-eyed but meek, and Mr. Dun thought it best to allow them time to adjust to the sight of the grandest library in the world. There were thousands and thousands of books, covering every round wall of the tall tower, with about 50 long ladders for reaching the top shelves. In the centre were even more books stacked up, as he had run out of shelf space, and many reading tables with little oil lamps sitting upon them. But what the newcomers couldn’t get their eyes off were the various birds of all different colours organising and reorganising the shelves to their hearts’ content.

When Mr. Dun felt they’d had quite enough time to adjust he interrupted them, “Come in, come in! And close the door behind you, would you?” He gave a little wink, “We like to maintain a cozy atmosphere.” He started pointing out all the sections and where they could find various books, as they continued to stare with mouths hanging open.

Mr. Dun had spent at least twenty minutes helping the strange persons to find the things they were interested in, and hadn’t noticed he’d left his office open. Then, just he went to lock the big wooden door, he heard a scuffle from inside. He debated just leaving the person locked in there, while he would go and get help from the towns-guard, but decided against leaving all his rare and precious books at risk.

He opened it again and locked it behind himself, and searched the small, old-smelling room for signs of life. He checked under the desk, as well as under the completely disorganised but important documents that made a paper-sea across the floor. He even checked behind the big bookcases, knocking some books off in the process.

There was no other way out.

But no one was there.